Big News & A Bright New Chapter: From the Newsroom to Northwestern Mutual

This is MY story.

If you’ve followed my journey, you know by now that visual storytelling and community impact have always been at the heart of everything I do. For years, I had the honor of reporting as the Iron Mountain Bureau Reporter for a news station that broadcasts out of Marquette — spotlighting the stories that shape our communities across the Upper Peninsula.

In that role, I didn’t just tell stories — I made history. I became the first-ever CBS correspondent to serve the Dickinson-Iron region, and likely the first in the entire U.P. It was a responsibility I carried with immense pride, a chance to elevate voices from a part of Michigan that too often goes unheard. From city council meetings and conservation efforts to mental health initiatives and cherished traditions like the ski jump competition, I found purpose in shining a light on what matters most: people, resilience, and community.

But behind the headlines and interviews, there was another story unfolding — one much less visible, but just as real.

The move to Iron Mountain was an act of sheer faith.
I bought my home through a public auction — heart pounding, knowing I had one shot and no margin for error. I had saved down to the penny, obediently, with not even a hope or thought that I’d be able to own my own home. Maybe I didn’t know it was possible, but god did. I didn’t have a realtor, a backup plan, or even a friend in the area. I took a leap, believing that if I could just find a foundation, I could build the rest. When I arrived, I didn’t know a single soul. No support network. No safety net. Just me, my determination for justice for my child, and a key to a house I now owned.

I was a single mother, navigating a new town with no connections — and little more than sheer determination. I had to build everything from scratch: friendships, community ties, and I didn’t always know who to trust. Some people, unfortunately, saw my vulnerability and tried to take advantage of it. A few almost succeeded. But I learned quickly. I leaned into discernment, boundaries, and of course, my faith. I asked hard questions, said harder goodbyes, and kept showing up — even when it felt like I was doing it all alone.

Those early days were filled with financial strain, attempts to push ahead with my bachelor degree studies, silent tears behind closed doors, and the aching weight of motherhood when there’s no one to tag in. The heartbreak of motherhood isn't just in the sleepless nights or scraped knees. It's in the sacrifices no one sees — the dreams delayed, the quiet battles fought in grocery store aisles, the fierce love that fuels you even when you're running on empty.

But here's the part I want to shout from the rooftops (maybe even my very own NEW rooftop thanks to the completion of my latest project): things got better. Not overnight, and not without effort — but they got better.

In the years following my graduation, I began to grow something beautiful: a support network. A real one. Through my faith, my outreach, and just showing up for others, I found people who saw me — who wanted to build community with me. And piece by piece, a new kind of family began to form.

Getting started in the on-air news industry wasn’t easy. I was still a student when I landed my internship, and like many breaking into broadcast, I didn’t have the resources to buy the kind of professional wardrobe expected of an on-air journalist. I remember writing to a syndicated Fox News journalist who was retiring after 30 years on-air. I shared with her my story woman to woman — the struggles, the dream, the drive to make an impact. She was so moved that she donated a huge portion of her designer on-air wardrobe to me, thousands of dollars’ worth of professional clothing. I’ll never forget opening those boxes — not just because of the clothes themselves, but because of what they represented: another woman in this field seeing me, believing in me, and helping me step into the role with confidence.

But what made it even more unforgettable was what came with the clothes — a handwritten card, tucked inside on her personal cardstock. In it, she offered words of encouragement and deep gratitude, thanking me for choosing life for my son. Her message was both personal and powerful: “Congrats on entering the journalism world. Stay strong, faithful, grounded & committed to truth & justice in all you do. Thank you for choosing life. ‘Mom’ is the most important job we are blessed with on earth.” It wasn’t just a donation; it was a blessing — a moment of solidarity between women, between mothers, between truth-tellers. That kind of generosity and affirmation fueled me to keep going, and it continues to inspire me to pay it forward wherever and whenever I can.

Now, I’m turning the page to an exciting new chapter — one that continues to center around purpose and connection. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve joined The Gingras Agency – Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company as your very own go-to Financial Assistant! I’ll be working alongside an incredible team of professionals, each bringing a unique area of expertise to the table. With two amazing financial advisors guiding strategy and client relationships, an awesome investment manager offering insight and precision in portfolio design, a truly great life insurance expert ensuring clients are protected in every stage of life, and a supportive administration team keeping everything running smoothly, I’m surrounded by some of the best in the business. Together, we’re committed to helping individuals and families achieve long-term financial success — and I couldn’t be more excited to contribute to that mission.

This isn’t just a career shift. It’s a calling to step deeper into the role of truly improving local families’ economic security— a transition from storytelling in journalism to guiding people through some of life’s most important financial decisions. Whether it’s helping families navigate investments, plan for the future, or build wealth that creates generational impact, I now have the privilege of supporting clients on a journey that’s deeply personal and transformational. And the best part? I’ve found a real family here. The Northwestern Mutual Gingras Agency is a legacy firm, serving the community for three generations — and being welcomed into this incredible team has been nothing short of amazing.

What’s more — I haven’t slowed down one bit outside of work. I’m still a full-time Master’s student at Northern Michigan University, balancing exams, term papers, and late-night study sessions. Graduation is on the horizon next year, and every long night is fueled by a drive to grow, evolve, and make a lasting difference. As part of my full scholarship, I’m leading a community project focused on improving resilience for the residents of Marquette County. This effort has me working closely with the county’s emergency coordinator as we develop and refine our project plans. I’ve been regularly attending homeland security meetings and keeping in close contact with emergency managers, and I’ll be pushing for stronger advocacy across the Upper Peninsula—especially in response to our recent ice storm.

In addition, I served as the media coordinator and assisted with security observations during a groundbreaking cold weather mass casualty event hosted by NMU—the first of its kind in the nation. This event was specifically designed for disaster preparedness in extreme winter conditions. This large-scale exercise brought together over a dozen local agencies, the state police force, state emergency responders, federal disaster mortuary operational response teams (DMORT), and even the FBI. Coordinating across such a wide array of stakeholders was a powerful learning experience, requiring adaptability, clear communication, and real-time problem-solving under pressure. The scenario was designed to simulate a multi-fatality incident in severe weather, challenging every team to respond as they would in a real-world disaster. Being a part of that event not only tested my crisis management skills but deepened my commitment to building safer, more resilient communities in the face of increasing uncertainty.

And if that wasn’t enough to keep me on my toes — I’ve also been renovating my home. Piece by piece, I’ve poured love, time, and determination into transforming it, all while being a single parent. Motherhood is — and always has been — my greatest calling. It’s the only thing I ever truly dreamed of becoming, and being a mom fuels everything I do.

The house has come such a long way — by the time this next round of renovations is complete, I’ll have invested over $70,000 into repairs and improvements. My new roof was completed this past fall, with some finishing touches wrapping up this spring. And I’ve got another grant project on my radar, with plans to keep building something lasting for my family. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every bit of effort.

This place is more than just a house now — it’s becoming a true home. Every project I take on, every brushstroke, every late-night grant application has been a labor of love. I’ve poured my heart into transforming this space into something safe, nurturing, and rooted in purpose. It’s a place where my child can have something to call his own, where memories are built, and where love shows up in the details. I’m proud of what I’m creating here — not just the walls and windows, but the sense of stability and hope that fills each room.

Buying and owning my own home has been a true act of faith, and it would never have been possible without God guiding me every step of the way. Just a couple of years ago, this dream felt completely out of reach. I was living paycheck to paycheck, barely able to keep up with bills, much less think about homeownership. But something shifted — I made the decision to trust that if I put in the discipline and the work, doors would open. I saved every single penny for an entire summer. Not one coffee, not one takeout meal — nothing. I stretched every dollar and focused on the goal.

The house came to me in an unexpected way — through a public auction. I didn’t have the luxury of a big budget or a second chance, so I approached it with strategy and instinct. I waited until the absolute last 60 seconds of the auction to place my bid, heart pounding, knowing I couldn’t afford to get outbid. I wasn’t even sure it went through — I had to drive around the block, refreshing my auction page over and over until I saw it: I had won. It was surreal. That moment marked the beginning of a brand-new chapter.

Since then, this house has become a symbol of everything I’ve fought for — stability, generational growth, and the belief that with faith and grit, transformation is possible.

There was a time not long ago when this all felt impossible — when I was living paycheck to paycheck, dreaming of stability but unsure how to get there. But I trusted. I saved. I sacrificed. And with God’s help, doors began to open.

Back when I was covering breaking news, local elections, and nonprofits like the Caringhouse and the Dickinson County Dive Rescue Team, it was always about the people — their grit, their hope, their stories. That same spirit drives me today as I help families find peace of mind through financial empowerment.

As I look ahead beyond graduation, I’m exploring two exciting paths: stepping further into Financial Advising or diving deeper into Investment Services. Both align with my passion for helping others write their next chapter — with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Wherever this road leads, one thing is certain: my heart remains rooted here in the U.P., doing work that matters, with my very own people who inspire me every single day.

Thank you to everyone who has been truly supportive of me through this journey  - from the newsroom to grad school, through every beautiful and excruciatingly heartbreaking moment of motherhood, to Northwestern Mutual, to home renovations, or in the quiet moments of rebuilding — thank you. Your support has meant everything. 

We’re just getting started. Let’s keep growing — together.